The 2025-2026 La Ronge Ice Wolves team photo. (Image Credit: La Ronge Ice Wolves)

By Derek Cornet

a lot of potential

Big summer ahead as Ice Wolves finish season in last place

Mar 16, 2026 | 2:32 PM

While the Ice Wolves finished the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season at the bottom of the standings, assistant coach Kyle Graham believes the team has much potential for 2026-2027.  

“Obviously, it’s not the season we wanted to have, but I think in the second half we definitely turned things around a bit being competitive in almost every game and winning a few games here in the final stretch,” he explained.  

“There’s a lot of potential with this team going into next season and a lot of excitement coming from the coaching staff and organization.” 

The Ice Wolves ended the season on Saturday with a poor record consisting of only 11 wins in 56 games for 27 points. That’s compared to 53 points in 2025 and 37 in 2024.  

To turn things around for next season, Graham noted there will be much work to do. 

There's 'not much' Canada could contribute militarily to Iran war: Expert

14m ago

a lot of potential

Big summer ahead as Ice Wolves finish season in last place

1h ago

Teen handed three-year sentence for attempted murder at Saskatoon's Evan Hardy Collegiate

5h ago

“We need the guys to have a big summer and step up for the start of next season for sure,” he said.  

“[We] have a lot of the guys who we already got to take another step forward next season … and obviously we’re going to look to add some pieces and get a little bit older just to make sure that we’re more of a competitive team next year.” 

The team will next host their annual spring camp April 24 to 26 in Aberdeen. It is unknown if head coach Kevin Kaminski, who took personal leave in February, will return for that event. Graham added at this point Bob Beatty, who stepped in to assist in light of Kamiski’s absence, will also not be attending.  

Meanwhile, the Ice Wolves also hosted their year-end awards ceremony on Saturday. Graham Brown was named Most Valuable Player, Most Dedicated and he also received the Coaches Award. For the majority of the season, Brown was the team’s lone 20-year-old. 

Dayton Tailfeathers received Fans Choice, Most Improved and Top Scorer, while Waylon Gardipy took Rookie of the Year and the Hugh Watt Iron Man Award.  

The remainder of the awards went to Mattias De Zen for Sportsmanship, Justin Berezniuk for Top Defenceman, Ryder Mckinnon for Community-Minded, Grayden Perozni for Mr. Hustle, Jaxon Smyth for Playmaker, and Will Knox for Diamond in the Rough.  

—

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com